Cordell City Council gave their approval to a planned ‘soft opening’ of Adams Lake, set for the Fourth of July holiday. Adams Lake is located north of Dill City. It has been closed to the public for about five years due to several factors, including a bridge that needed repairs and a lack of dedicated manpower needed to maintain the grounds. At this time the bridge is still not considered safe for heavy vehicles, so those wishing to visit will need to park and walk across.
As for the manpower, the situation has been temporarily alleviated by the hard work of volunteers who have been busy clearing paths through the vegetation and creating areas to access the lake shore for fishing. One such group of volunteers is Crossroads to Champions- a program developed to allow Cordell athletes to serve their community through needed labor.
Local businessman Dale Selman, along with Cordell Schools’ new head football coach Nick Bobeck, has facilitated the Crossroads to Champions’ work at Adams Lake.
“Coach Bobeck and an incredible crew of young men spent half a day cleaning up the lake area—picking up tree limbs, clearing the way for mowers, and using weed eaters to carve out easy fishing access points along the shore. And let’s just say they didn’t stop there. Some of these guys even wet a line and reeled in some monster bass. A couple others couldn’t resist jumping in for a swim to cool off after all that hard work,” Selman said. A team from McCuistion Construction also put in work, cutting trailhead access that paved the way for the brand-new Champions Circle nature trail. The trail opens up the outer boundaries of the property for hikers and bikers to explore the beauty of Adams Lake like never before.
Cordell Mayor Phil Kliewer is excited about the possibility of Adams Lake welcoming a new generation of families who can enjoy all that nature has to offer.
“Adams should be opened gradually, and in the right
ADAMS LAKE, Page 8 way, and, as much as we can. We hope to sustain this rehabilitation over a long period of time with patrons that respect and care for ‘your’ pristine and gorgeous lake and trail property. The hours of hard work already put in cannot go in vain by a wayward few thrill seekers, trashing the place and breaking reasonable rules. If you see someone that is blatantly breaking the Recreation Area rules, please report them- or this 96-acre jewel may end up being closed again…I don’t want that, and I believe most folks would rather fish and picnic than wonder why it is permanently locked up again.
Here’s to pulling out numerous 5lb bass from Adams and having a picnic supper with your family or church group and marveling at this renewal of the city, the work of our multiple partners and prospective guests that are willing to do what’s right by helping out...enjoying Cordell property and God’s special corner of the world, right here at home,” Mayor Kliewer stated.
The City would like to remind people visiting the lake July 4th that absolutely no fireworks will be tolerated. Please bring a trash bag and take all trash with you when you leave. No cars will be allowed to cross the entrance bridge. Actual opening and closing times for that day will be announced soon.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DALE SELMAN